SOUTHEND Rugby Club's star centre Faapulou Soolefai is set to leave the Seasiders.

The powerful Samoan has been in sensational form since arriving at Warners Bridge at the start of last season.

But the 31-year-old, who is nicknamed Hats, will definitely depart at the end of next month.

"Hats' visa has run out and it unfortunately means he's going to be leaving us," said Southend's director of rugby Kevin Harman.

"We've known for a while that this was going to happen but it's still a shame because he has just been fantastic for us.

"He's the best signing I have ever made."

Soolefai joined Southend from Bridgwater and Albion in the summer of 2006 and made an immediately impressing by scoring more than 30 tries to help his side win National League Three South.

That secured promotion into National League Two for the first time ever in the club's history and he has continued to impressed by touching down another nine times already during the current campaign.

"His try scoring record is fantastic," added Harman.

"It's the best the club have ever known since we've been in the National Leagues and he has really played a huge part in the success we've enjoyed in the last couple of season."

Soolefai's last home match for Southend will be against high flying Henley on Saturday March 15 before his final ever appearance away at Wharfedale a fortnight later.